Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding Great War ‘Dadizeele 1918’ M.C. and ‘Gheluvelt 1914’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Captain A. E. Kemp, Royal Irish Rifles, late Worcestershire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10968 A. Sjt., 2/Worc. R.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (10968 L. Sjt., 2/Worc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) contact marks, fine and better (5) £6000-8000

M.C. London Gazette 30 July 1919. ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty South of Dadizeele on 1st October 1918. He was commanding a Company in the attack, during which he was wounded through both thighs. The situation being uncertain and no officer being available to hand his command to, he refused to be evacuated until he was satisfied that all was in order. This necessitated his carrying on his duties for four hours after being wounded, when he was evacuated as a stretcher case.’

D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1915. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and ability on 31st October at Gheluvelt in the control of his men during the very critical engagement which resulted in the recapture of the Village.’

Lance-Serjeant Albert Edgar Kemp, 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 12 August 1914. As an Acting Serjeant in the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment he fought at the battle of Gheluvelt, 31 October 1914 and earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

As part of the larger First Battle of Ypres, German attacks were launched on the B.E.F. in Flanders. On the 29th October attacks were made against the British line in and about the village of Gheluvelt. Successive attacks were beaten off but such was the weight of force against them, that by the 31st the British positions around the village began to crumble and a hole was punched through the line. The last available reserve to the British defence at that critical time was the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment situated at Polygon Wood, two miles from the breakthrough point. Under strength, yet ordered to shore up the situation, three companies - some 370 men fixed bayonets and advanced towards Gheluvelt. Advancing the distance through a storm of bursting shells, losing some 100 men in the process, the remainder closed with the enemy, drove them out and restored the line. For the action, their commander, Major E. B. Hankey was made a Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel; additionally one D.S.O., three M.C’s. and three D.C.M’s. (including that to Kemp) were awarded to the battalion.

Kemp was commissioned into the Royal Irish Rifles in July 1915. Later in the war he earned the Military Cross for bravery and leadership in action near Dadizelle, 1 October 1918 - being severely wounded at the time. With copied m.i.c., some service notes and extracts re. the action at Gheluvelt.